Angie Cox's Reviews > Ruthless Vows

4 ⭐️ I’m not ready to say goodbye to Roman and Iris


"Write me a story where there is no ending, Kitt. Write to me and fill my empty spaces."


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ historical romantasy
✨ god war
✨ magical realism
✨ pen pals
✨ memory loss
✨ action-packed
✨ high stakes
✨ angst
✨ found family / strong familial bonds
✨ dual POV
✨ HEA
✨ TW: war, grief, loss of loved one, violence, chronic pain


My Thoughts:

Divine Rivals was pure and utter magic, so I knew it was going to be a challenge to follow up. Unfortunately, I didn't love Ruthless Vows as much as Divine Rivals, however, I still think it was a great conclusion to such a beautiful story.

What I loved:

Roman and Iris. 😭💕 These two may have the most beautiful connection and love story I’ve ever read about. Amazing characters that are both so likable, but together they are as brilliant as the sun. I love them both with my whole heart.

The action. This story is a lot more centered on the war, and Iris and Roman go through A LOT of harrowing / dangerous things to protect the people they love and save the world.

The found family / familial love. The way Roman, Iris, and their friends rely on one another is beautiful. Love drives them and without it, they would have all been lost.

The ending (the last 25%) has me in a chokehold. Just . . . WOW. So much happens and I could not put the book down! It’s high stakes and there’s a lot of things at play, so I was constantly at the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next.

Rebecca Ross’ writing. This woman is a MASTER of words. Every sentence is wonderfully crafted with lyrical and enchanting prose. Reading this feels like a beautiful dream where you can’t help but fall in love with this story and the characters because Rebecca’s words captivate you from the first sentence.


What I didn't love:

This was a lot more war-plot focused, which I totally get, but it just didn’t intrigue me as much. In Divine Rivals, I really fell in love with the beautiful romance between Iris and Roman, but that took a backseat to battles, war-planning, and understanding the gods. And even though there was a big focus on the gods/war, I still didn’t really feel like it was THAT complex of an issue, so this plot wasn’t as gripping as I expected. It wasn’t bad, but the best parts about DV are the characters and romance so I think when reading this I was always waiting for more of those moments.

To add to the point above, the first 60% of this story was a bit slow. There was nothing wrong with it, but I think since the focus was more on the war instead of the romance, and then since Roman and Iris were separated for so long (less dialogue between them), the plot just felt like it dragged a little. I get why this was a more war focused story and why Iris and Roman were separated for so long, but it just didn’t give me that all consuming reading experience I felt with the first book.

I also think maybe I just need to reread this and go at a slower pace instead of reading for 7 straight hours. I think if I wasn’t in such a rush to get to the end and find out exactly how Iris and Roman’s love story ended, I might enjoy the journey a little bit more - including the war/gods plot. So expect an update in my review at some point.


But overall, this is a great sequel and conclusion to the story! The Letters of Enchantment duology is one of my top series ever and I will be recommending it to everyone till the day I die. 🫶

-

Letters of Enchantement Duology + Ratings:

1. Divine Rivals: ∞ ⭐️
2. Ruthless Vows: 4 ⭐️

-


Favorite Quotes: *Read at your own risk*

But all good things eventually came to an end. And all songs had a final verse.
_______

My name is Roman Carver Kitt, and this is a dead man's story.
_______

The magic still gathers, and the past is gilded; I see the beauty in what has been but only because I have tasted both sorrow and joy in equal measures.
_______

"You may not be a goddess, but nor am I a god. Despite our mundane lives, perhaps we can make out own magic with words."
_______

"I've dreamt of you. I think you and I were friends before I left for the war cause."
"Friends?"
"Or enemies."
"You and I were never enemies, Kit. Not exactly."
"When were we something more?"
Yes. I'm your wife."
_______

She would have known it was him touching her, even if her eyes had been closed.
_______

"Should I be surprised that I was falling in love with you a second time? Should I be surprised that your words found me here, even in the darkness?"
_______

"How I love to lose you. How I love to read your words and hear the thoughts that sharpen your mind. And how I would love to be on my knees before you now, surrendering to you and you alone."
_______

"I confess that I am hungry for your words."
_______

"I am leaning more on the side of impossibility these days. I am leaning towards the edge of magic."
_______

"Let us dare to change the tides. Write to me and fill my empty space."
_______

"You remember how you said that word to me in the infirmary, post-trenches? You believed I had come to the Bluff to outshine you. And I would speak this word back to you now, but only because I would love to see you burn with splendor. I would love to see your words catch fire with mine."
_______

"Gods, you looked gorgeous at tea. I would like to take you to all the places you love most in the city, and then beyond. Think about them. Make me a list. We'll go anywhere you want to. We'll go together when the war is over."
_______

He sank to his knees before her, his hands touching those tender marks on her skin. They told him she was strong and brave, but also that she was his. Their souls weren't mirrors but complements, constellations that burned side by side.
_______

She saw him as he saw her. With eyes open, with eyes shut.
_______

There is no magic above or below that will ever steal this from me again.
_______

"Did you think that I would let him steal this last moment from me? When I would surrender only to you, take you in my hands, and burn with you before the end comes?"
_______

"I betrayed you because I love her. . . You didn't save me, but Iris did . . . I would betray you a hundredfold. I would betray you a thousandfold for her."
_______

"I believe I'm quite good at this."
"And what's that, Winnow?"
"At taking you by surprise, Kitt."
_______

And that, he has come to realize, was when his best words emerged. When he was with her.
_______

"I look forward to the next chapter. The one you will write in your story, as well as the one we write together."
_______